Three months older than co-signer Edward Rutledge, Thomas Lynch, Jr., at age 26 was the second youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. However, when Thomas Lynch, Jr.’s life tragically ended at age 30, he was the youngest of the signers at their deaths.

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

An Episcopalian, The eldest son of a wealthy planter, Thomas Heyward, Jr., was born in Old House, in St. Luke’s Parish (now Jasper County) in the Province of South Carolina, about 25 miles north of Savannah, Georgia, on July 28, 1746. His father was Colonel Daniel Heyward, his mother, Mary Butler Heyward. They were among those to grow rice, the “golden seed from Madagascar” which became the big money crop of “low country” South Carolina. Thomas used the “junior” suffix to differ him from his father’s younger brother of that name.

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

An Episcopalian, Edward Rutledge was born in Charleston, South Carolina on November 23, 1749. He was the youngest son of Dr. John Rutledge, who emigrated from Ireland to South Carolina about the year 1735. Edward’s mother was Sarah Hert, a “lady of respectable family, and large fortune.”

At age 26, he was the youngest delegate to sign the Declaration of Independence. (The accomplishments of Edward’s older brother, John Rutledge, rivaled those of Edward’s. John was an early delegate to the Continental Congress, President of South Carolina from 1776 to 1778, Governor of South Carolina in 1779, a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, a signer of the U.S. Constitution, a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1789 to 1791 and was appointed Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by President George Washington in 1795.)

Education and Law Practice

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

An Episcopalian, John Penn was born on May 17, 1741, at Port Royal, Caroline County, Virginia. John was the only child of a farmer, Moses Penn, and Catherine Taylor Penn. On his mother’s side, two descendants of his great-grandfather James Taylor became presidents of the United States—James Madison and Zachary Taylor.

John's father died suddenly when John was 18 years old. Even though John was left with a modest fortune, his parents didn’t believe in the value of an education. John had spent only two-three years at a country common school.

John could have led an unprincipled life of foolishness and dissipation, but instead he took advantage of the tutelage and vast library of his cousin, Edmund Pendleton. Pendleton was well known as one of the most accomplished statesmen of Virginia. His library was described by both Jefferson and Adams as having no equal in the colonies.

Constitution Week USA is both an educational opportunity and a celebration of the United States Constitution of America, which was signed on September 17, 1787. Constitution Week has taken place in Gilbert since it was founded by John Lewis in 2002. Lewis is the current Mayor of Gilbert.

On August 2, 1956, Congress requested that the President of the United States proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as "Constitution Week."

This year's Gilbert celebration begins September 16 with Scout Night, which provides an opportunity for scouts to obtain citizenship merit badges. Another Scout Night occurs on September 23. Both events occur at Mesquite Jr. High School, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. For more information and to register, click HERE.

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

William Hooper has often been called the "Prophet of Independence." His prophetic observation was recorded in a letter of 26 April 1774 to his friend James Iredell, stating: “The Colonies are striding fast to independence, and ere long will build an empire upon the ruins of Great Britain; will adopt its Constitution, purged of its impurities, and from an experience of its defects, will guard against those evils which have wasted its vigor”.

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

Joseph Hewes was a Quaker who, when it became clear that he would advocate for war against Great Britain, became an Episcopalian.

Before Joseph was born, his parents Aaron and Providence were forced out of Connecticut due to Indian massacres occurring within their community as well as intolerance of Quakers by Puritans. Aaron and Providence’s resettlement to New Jersey was not without great personal risk. Ms. Hewes was wounded in the neck by ball shot from the gun of an Indian. The couple settled in “Maybury Hill,” an estate on the outskirts of Princeton, New Jersey. On January 23, 1730, Joseph was born there. Maybury Hill was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971.

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

George Walton, an Episcopalian, was born near Farmville, Virginia, in about 1741. His parents were poor, and both died when George was only 12 years old. He was apprenticed to a carpenter, a man of limited education, who worked him hard during the day and refused to provide him with a candle to read at night.

But George Walton wasn't an ordinary boy. He possessed a thirst for knowledge and was gifted with a strong intellect and determined spirit. He did not enjoy any special advantages, except for his own strong desire to expand his mind and develop his skills of carpentry. During the day, he would find moments to collect lightwood, which served to allow him to read at night.

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

Lyman Hall, Georgia. An ordained Congregational minister, Lyman Hall later became a medical doctor. He boldly espoused liberation from kingly rule, and became a leader and spokesman for the Puritans in St. John’s Parish, which was situated in the town of Sunbury.